Bill Clinton in Vancouver to talk about novel, cybercrime and politicsBack to video

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton, who wrote The President is Missing with best-selling author James Patterson, was in Vancouver on Friday to talk about the book and world politics sprinkled in with comments from Patterson and former radio host Hal Wake as moderator.

Patterson sent Clinton an outline and then “we had to put the flesh on the bones,” said Patterson. “We wanted it to be as accurate as possible,” said Clinton.

Patterson would send him a chapter he’d written “with 20 questions (Clinton) would have to answer, if you want it to be real.”

And Patterson said the best-selling political thriller in which the president disappears, in a plot that involves cyberterrorism, gives more insight into the high office than a memoir because the fictional account doesn’t have to leave details out.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

Patterson said the writing of the novel helped him to realize how important the president’s job is.

“You are going to make mistakes,” said Patterson. “I made quite a few but I tried to fess up to them over time,” said Clinton, not trying for laughs but getting some anyway.

The two, tieless and looking relaxed on stage at the Vancouver Convention Centre, showed an easy rapport with one another, sometimes gently teasing, at other times praising one another as great storytellers.

The plot includes a cybercrime as a result “everything is going to be erased” from all computers. “The U.S. would go down and it could happen,” said Patterson.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

Clinton talked about real-world cyberattacks and how Israel has the world’s best cyber defences.

Patterson said the fictional account should open up governments’ eyes to the fact that defence budgets are woefully lacking to defend against cybercrime.

Clinton strayed briefly into a number of geopolitical conflicts, from Myanmar to the absorption of Syrian refugees mostly in Europe, to make a point that governments use a divide and conquer strategy for short-term political expediency that isn’t helpful for world peace.

“Us versus them politics is threatening to undo the gains of the last 30 years,” he said.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

He mostly avoided current U.S. politics or leadership but said there is no crisis threatening the southern U.S. border because of an influx of illegal immigrants — “This is not a crisis. This made up” — adding most of the refugees are fleeing narcotics trafficking violence in Central America.

He said the real “border crises” affecting the U.S. are heroin from the south and fentanyl from China.

Richard Bend, an IT worker who was given a ticket by his employer, said he found the talk “fantastic.”

“I thought he brought a lot of clarity to thing,” especially regarding the need to defend against cyberterrorism.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

“Presidents can give insights that you can’t get from other people.”

Tickets ranged from $99 to $1,895 for VIP platinum seating at the front of the hall, which included a signed hardcover copy of the novel and a chance to have a photo taken with Clinton and Patterson.

Jacki Amato of Maple Ridge arrived two hours early for the talk and paid $249 for her ticket because, “It’s Bill Clinton.”

Inam Qureshi of Vancouver, who owns a mortgage investment company and sat in one of the most expensive seats, said he was looking forward to the talk.

He said “he wasn’t here to judge his personal life,” when asked if he had lost any respect for the president in light of today’s #MeToo movement.

Share this article in your social network

Share this Story: Bill Clinton in Vancouver to talk about novel, cybercrime and politics

Trending

Related Stories

This Week in Flyers

Article Comments

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Notice for the Postmedia Network

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.